AGM 2007

This years AGM was "spirited" as usual. It's a pity we didn't get to thank our dedicated out-going chairman Amiras personally, whom everyone agrees did a splendid job. Thanks anyway Amiras, you were an inspirational chair to say the least! Ramon Captieux has been elected as the new chair with pretty much the same group of trustees give or take a few.

Minutes of the AGM will be posted here soon, but some of the highlights of the meeting included:

• The crazy backdated rates owed to rand water.
• The recurring issue of tiles on 2nd and 3rd floors.
• Improving the security of the complex with new access control measures.
• The issuing and enforcing of fines.

My 2 cents on the tile issue:
There are already people that have tiles and/or wooden floors and there are people that want to replace their carpets with tiles. Then there are people that are suffering as a result of people with tiles living above them, making a noise.

My proposed solution:

1. Allow tiles and wooden floors for everyone with one clause; the person installing the tiles must within reason make every effort to reduce the noise levels. They MUST provide proof including, but not restricted to quotes and receipts for the installation of noise buffers/insulation mats.
2. Owners that have already installed tiles or wooden floors without sound insulation must see that floor rugs are placed in high traffic areas.
3. Complainants against noisy neighbors with tiles living above must submit formal letters of complaint to the trustees. The trustees should then decide whether a reasonable effort has been made to reduce noise levels. If not, warnings and/or fines should be imposed.
   

At the end of the day it comes down to courtesy and tolerance. Those are conflicting values that cannot be imposed or expected by any trustee or body corporate. We must realize that we cannot expect courtesy from others without extending some ourselves and without a having degree of tolerance. Perhaps if our neighbors were friends it would be easier to be tolerant or courteous? But thats not Town House culture, it's simpler if all these people around you were just faceless, nameless people without feelings. It's a culture that needs to change!

p.s. I still don't get the argument that people potentially affected by noisy-tile-neighbors are a minority? We have 3 floored apartments, therefore 2 out 3 apartments have potential noisy-tile-neighbors living above them, which to me is a majority or have I missed something?

That said and done, there's never a dull AGM at Dio Velento! Please consider my suggestion or come up with your own for the proposed special GM regarding tiles.